The period between the fall of the Tang dynasty in 907 and the establishment of the Song in 960 is often dismissed as a bleak chapter in Chinese history, a half-century of national disunity and anarchy. However, while it is true that the north during this time was continually ravaged by attacks from Khitans and Turks, the south enjoyed a time of peace, economic prosperity, and cultural growth. This engaging study by the eminent Sinologist Edward H. Schafer examines the so-called Empire of Min, centered in the coastal and semi-tropical present-day province of Fujian. Professor Schafer describes the geography, government, and political structure of Min, as well as its economy, arts, literature, and religion. As those familiar with the work of Professor Schafer might expect, the interesting economic and political issues of the day are made clear, and its colorful characters and their various machinations come alive. This limited reprinted work incorporates the corrigenda compiled by the author.

◎ 著者簡介

薛愛華（Edward Hetzel Schafer，1913-1991），美國著名漢學傢， 20 世紀後半期美國中古中國研究的代錶人物。1947 年獲得哈佛大學東方語言學博士學位，後任教於加州大學伯剋利分校。1958 - 1964 年，擔任《美國東方學會會刊》（Journal of the American Oriental Society）主編，1974 - 1975 年，擔任美國東方學會會長。其代錶作包括《閩國》《撒馬爾罕的金桃》《硃雀》《珠崖》《神女》等。

◎ 譯者簡介

程章燦，南京大學文學院教授。1983 年獲北京大學曆史學學士，1989 年獲南京大學文學博士， 2008 年被評為教育部長江學者特聘教授。曾任美國哈佛大學、賓夕法尼亞大學、西雅圖華盛頓大學、英國牛津大學高級訪問學者，颱灣大學客座教授。發錶學術著作、譯著、論文眾多。

侯承相，南京大學文學院古典文獻專業博士研究生，英語譯者。